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(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1. F. W. HOWELL.

,PLOUR' HACKER;

Patented July 5 N. Pneus, mwmmmphf. wnshingm. D. c.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

P. .W. HOWELL. PLOUR PAUKBR.

MMM

N. PEIERS. Phnlaumugmphar, wzshlngion, D. c.

(No Model.)

Fl W- HOWELLI 3 Sheets Sheet 3.

P LOUR PAGKER.

Patented July 5, 1887.

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FREDERICK WV. HOVELL, OF BUFFALO, NEV YORK, ASSIGNOR TO MARGARET T.HOWELL, OF SAME PLAGE.

FLoUa-PAoKER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 366,167, dated July 5,1887.

Application filed February il, 1886. Serial No. 191,348. (No model.)

' which the following is a speciiication.

This invention relates to an improvement in,

that class of flour-packers which are provided with a packing tubecontaining a device whereby the flour is forced down into the barrel,sack, or other package, which is placed uponxa receding platform whosedownward movement is automatically arrested when the desired quantity offlour has been packed.

The object ot' this invention is to render the machine easily portableand more etiicient and convenient in its operation, and to provide'means for regulating the packing-pressure with great nicety.

My invention consists to that end of the improvements which will behereinafter fully set forth, and pointed out in the claims.

'In the accompanying drawings, consisting of three sheets, Figure 1 is asectional elevation of my improved flour-packer. Fig. 2 is a fragmentarysectional elevation at right angles to Fig. 1, on an enlarged scale.Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional elevation of the movable bearing andshaft. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section of the upper portion ofthe packing-tube. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section in line w so, Fig. 4.Fig. 6 is a vertical section through one of the supportingposts andconnecting parts. Fig. 7 is an elevation, on an enlarged scale, of oneof the helical springs and connecting parts. Fig. 8 is a side elevationof one ofthe catches whereby the platform is held down when thepaekingpressure is removed. Fig. 9 is a horizontal section in line yy,Fig. 1, on an enlarged scale. Fig. 10 isa sectional elevation .showingamodified construction of the packing-tube.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A represents the lower end or dischargespout of the stationaryflour-bin, and Al the receiving-hopper of the packer, connected by armsa with the upper ends of the posts ofthe packer. The upper end ofthehopper A fits against the lower end of the bin A, as shown in Fig. l.l

A2 represents a movable band attached to the outer side of the hopper Aby clamps a', so as tolap over the ljoint between the hopper A and thebin A and prevent the escape of ilour through said joint. Upon releasingthe clamps a the band A2 is dropped downxthere by disconnectingthehopper from the bin and permitting the packer to be moved underneathanother bin, to which it is connected by the band A2, in theabovedescribed manner. By this means one packer may be used to packflour from several bins.

The hopper Ais provided with a valve or slide of any suitable orWell-known construction for cutting off the supply of flour at desire.

a represents the tubular throat of the hopper forming the upperstationary portion of the packing-tube, and B the lower portion of thepacking-tube detachably secured to the throat al by bolts b.

C represents a bevel gear-rim which surrounds the throat ai and turnsupon supports c attached to the throat. These supports may be rollers orshort bearing-pieces, or a ring which extends around the throat.

. D represents a rotary tube which surrounds the stationary tube B, andwhich is detach ably secured to a collar, d, which is attached to theunder side of the gear-rim O. The tube D extends downwardly beyondthelower end of the packing-tube and is provided at its open lower endwith a cross-piece, d', to which is secured a vertical shaft,` d2. Thelatter`extends upwardly into the packing-tube B and carriespackingaugers E i. The upper end of the shaft d2 is journaled in across-1 )iece,d*, secured in the packingtube.' Thelower crosspiece, d',may, be constructed in the form of a packing-auger, if desired. Byturning the gear-rim C the tube D and the shaft dN and angers E Esecured thereto are turned, so as to force the iiour out of thepacking-tube B into the barrel or other package. Upon disconnecting thepacking-tubcB from the throat a and the tube D from the collar d theflourforcing mechanism can be removed andreplaced bya similar mechanismof smaller size, if desired.

In the construction represented in Fig. 10 the packing-tube B and thecentral shaft are IOO omitted and the packing-angers are directlyattached to the rotating tube D. This construction is simpler than thatshown in Fig.

1, and is especially adapted to pack barrels,

as the latter are not liable to turn with the rotating tube. l

f represents the horizontal drivingshaft, journaled in stationarybearings and provided at its outer end with a tight and loose pulley, FF', and .at its inner end with an internallytoothed gear-wheel, f.

g represents the movable drivingshaft ar ranged near the inner end ofthe driving-shaft f and provided at its outer end with a pinion, g',which engages with the gear-wheelf and at its inner end with abevel-gear, g2, which engages with the gear-rim C. The shaft gisjournaled eccentrically in a bearing, Q,which is capable of turning` inits seat in the frame of the machine, so that by turning this bearingthe shaft g is raised or lowered, thereby throwing the pinion gout of orinto gear with the wheelf. r

HH represent the hollow vertical posts of the main frame arranged onboth sides of the packingtube and connected at their upper ends to thearms ct, which support the hopper A.

I represents the receding platform, composed of horizontal side piecesconnected preferably at the rear of the machine bya cross-piece,`I, andprovided with upright tubular posts I2, which guide the platform in itsvertical movements upon vertical rods t' fi. The latter are secured withtheir lower ends to the base of the machine. The upper end of the rod t'is secured to the post H by a bracket, t, and the upper end of the rodt" is secured to one of the arms a.

j represents spiral springs surrounding the posts H H and resting withtheir lower ends upon collars j', which can be adjusted vertically onthe posts for regulating the tension ofthe springs.

.I represents crossheads, which are secured with their inner ends to thetubular posts I2 of the platform and which embrace with their outer endsthe posts H H and bear upon the upper ends of the springsj, so that thelatter are compressed as the platform is lowered.

k represents chains or ropes secured to the cross-heads J an'd runningover pulleys k', which are attached to the posts H H.

K represents weights secured to the end of the chains or ropes k in thehollow posts for the purpose of counterbalancing the weight of the truckand platform.

Z represents rackbars secured to the lower ends ofthe postsH H' andextendingnpwardly on the inner sides ofthe posts.

L represents spring cases or drums turning upon arbors Z and provided attheir peripheries with gear-rims which engage with the rack-bars Z.

m represents a helical spring arranged in each ofthe drums L and securedwith one end to the arbor Z and with the other to the drum,

' so that the spring is wound lup as the platform is lowered. The arborsZ" are secured to sleeves M, which are attached to the tubular posts I2by set-.screws m', so that the toothed drums can be disengaged from therackbars when not required for use by turning the sleeves lVI upon theposts I2.

N represents spring-cases provided with similar helical springs 'andturning upon arbors n, which are secured to brackets n. The latter arcattached to the arms a of the main frame. The spring-cases N areconnected'with the posts l2 of the platform by straps a2 in suchmannerthat the springs are wound up as the platform is lowered.

O represents the vertical shifting-rod guided with its lower end in anopening in the base of the machine and connected at its upper end to anarm, O', which slides upon the rod t above the tubular posts I2. The armO is connected by a rod, O2, with an arm, l?, which is secured to thebearing g3 of the shaft g, so that by raising the shiftingrod O the armP 'is swung upwardly and the bearing g3 turned in such manner as toengage the pinion g with the wheel f', while by lowering the rod. O thebearing is turned in the opposite direction and the pinion g is thrownout of gear with the Wheel f.

p represents an arm, which is secured to the rod O below the platform insuch manner that the latter comes in contact with the arm pand shiftsthe rod and throws the shaft g out of gear when the desired quantity offlour has been packed. As the platform approaches the upper limit of itsmovement the post I2 `strik es against the arm O', lifts the latter, andthrows the shaft g into gear when the platform reaches its uppermostposition, thus starting the packing mechanism automatically.

Q represents the truck, which is placed upon the platform I, and whichsupports the barrel, sack, or other package into which the flour ispacked. The platform I is provided with rollers q, which facilitaterunning the truck upon and from the platform. The truck is provided withwheels g', so that it can be easily moved on the iioor of the mill.

R represents catches pivoted to the base of the machine for securing theplatform I in its lowest position. Each catch R is provided with anupper claw, r, and a lower claw, 1'. The platform I is provided on itsunder side with inwardly-projecting noses s, which engage with thecatches R. The catches R on both sides of the machine are secured to thesame rock-shaft r2 and assume a backwardl inclined position when theplatform is elevated, as represented in Fig. 2. When the platform hasnearly reached its lowest position, the noses s strike the lower claws,r, ofthe catches R, whereby the latter are turned for- `.vardl y so asto engage the upper claws, r, over the noses s, as represented in Fig.8, thereby locking the platform inposition and permitting the truck Qwith the package of flour to be removed from the platform.

r3 is an arm pi'voted to the base of the machine and connected with oneof the hooks It by a rod, t, which is provided with a spring, t',whereby the rod is rendered extensible. W'hen the package filled withflour has been removed from the truck, the latter is moved back upon theplatform. Vhen the truck has nearly reached the proper position upon theplatform, the rear edge of the truck strikes the arm if and swings thelatter backwardly, thereby swinging the catches R baekwardly andreleasing their upper claws, r, from the noses s. The platform is nowelevated by the reaction ofthe springs, and when it has nearly reachedits upper position the packing-angers are automatically set in motion,as above described. Vhen the platform approaches its lowest position andthe catches It are swung forwardly, the truck bears upon the arm i' andprevents the latter from moving with the catches It. rlhe spring tpermits the arm fr3 -r to be held back by the truck, while the catchesIt move forwardly and interlock with the noses s. As soon as the truckis removed from the platform the arm r3 is drawn forward by lthe springt. The catches R are held in engagement with the noses s by the upwardpressure which is exerted upon the platform by the compressed springs.When a shorter package is to be packed, the noses s are removed andreplaced by correspondingly-longer noses, which depend further below theplatform and engage with the catches R at the proper time.

In my improved packer the pressure of the flour in the bin is exerteddirectly downward upon the iiour in the barrel or other package, andassists materially in packing the flour.

Either of the spring devices which resist the downward movement of theplatform may be disconnected, or two or all of them may be usedsimultaneously, as the size of the package to be packed may require,thereby affording ready means for regulating the packingpressure.

I claim as my inventionM 1. In a flour-packer, the combination, with areceiving-hopper, of a packing-tube forming astraight downwardcontinuation of'said hopper, a packing-auger, and driving-gearsurrounding the packing-tube, substantially as set forth.

2. In a flour-packer, the combination, with a packing-tube, of anannular driving-gear surrounding said tube, a packing-auger, and arotating tube, whereby the auger is connected with the driving gear,substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with the stationary packing-tube B, of thesurrounding rotating tube D, and a packing-auger arranged in thestationary tube and attached to the rotating tube, substantially assetforth.

4.. The combination, with the stationary packing-tube B, of thesurrounding rotating tube D, provided atits lower end with a crosspieee,d', an upright shaft, d2, secured to said cross-piece, and apacking-auger attached to said shaft, substantially as set forth.

5. rIhe combination, with the throat a2, of the gear-rim C, surroundingsaid throat, and a rotating tube, D, removably attached to said rim andfurnished with apacking-auger, substantially as set forth.

G. The coinbination,with the throat fief the gear-rim O,surrounding saidthroat, a rotating tube, D, removably attached to said rim, and astationary tube, B, removably attached to the throat at, substantiallyas set forth;

7. The combinatiomwith the throat a2, provided with supports c, ofthegear-rim G,turn ing on said supports, and a tube, D, attached to saidgear-rim and provided with a packingauger, substantially as set forth.

8. In a Hour-packer, the combination, with the auger mechanism, of thedriving shaftf, provided with a gear-wheel, f', and the shaft .,q,provided at its ends with gear-wheels g and g2, and supported in amovable bearing, substantially as set forth.

9. In a Hour-packer, the combination, withthe auger mechanism, of thedriving-shaftf, a shaft, g, provided at its ends with gear-wheels g andg2, and a turning bearing, g, in which the shaft g is eccentricall yjournaled, substantially as set forth.

l0. The combination, with the auger mechanism, movable platform, and themovable driving-shaft, of mechanism, substantially as described, wherebythe ascending platform throws thc driving-shaft automatically into gearwith the auger mechanism, substantially as set forth.

ll. rIhe combination, with thevangermeehanism and the movable platform,of the. driving-shaft g, provided with gear-wheels g g2, a movablebearing, 03, in which the shaft g is journaled, an arm, O,'and arod, O?,whereby the ascending platform moves the bearing g3 and throws thedriving-shaft g into gear with the augermechanism,substantially as setforth.

12. rIhe combination, with the auger mechanism and the movable platform,of the driving-shaft g, provided with gear-wheels gg2, a turningbearing, g3, in which the shaft gis journaled eccentrically, and whichis provided with an arm, P, a movable arm,O, and a rod, O2, connectingthe arm O' with the arm P, substantially as set forth.

I3. In a flour-packer,the combination,with

the movable platform, of the hollow posts II H', provided with pulleys kand counterbalancing-weight K, arranged in said posts and connected withthe platform by chains or ropes le running over the -pulleys 7e',substantially as set forth. y 14. In a flour-packer, thecombination,with the movable platform, of the posts H H', the spiralsprings j, surrounding said posts and resting upon collars j', attachedto the posts, and cross-heads J, attached to the platform and bearingupon the springs j, substantially as set forth.

ICO

15. In a Hour-packer, thecombinatiomwith the movable platform, of arack-bar, Z, and a pressnrespring, m, provided with a gear-rim whichengages with said rack-bar, and Whereby the spring is Wound up as theplatform descends, substantially as set forth.

16. The co1nbination,\vith the movable platform, of the toothedspring-case L, turning,` upon an arbor secured to the platform, ahelical spring, m, connecting' the case with the arbor, and a stationaryrack-bar, Z, with Which the toothed spring-case engages, substantiallyas set forth.

17. The combination, with the main frame, of the vertical guiderodsz i',secured thereto, and the movable platform provided with tubular postsIwhich slide on the rods i ,sub

' stantially as set forth.

1S. In a flour-packer, the combinatiomwith the movable platform, of acatch .whereby the platform is locked in its lowest position, and

the movable platform, of the cases N, contain-v ing helical springs, andstraps n2, connecting said spring-cases with the movable platform,

vsubstantially as set forth.

20. The combination,with the movable platform provided with noses s, ofpivoted catches R and a releasing-arm, 1^", connected with the catches Rand projecting above the platform, whereby` the platform is releasedupon plac- ,ingI the truck upon the same, substantially as set forth.

Vitness my hand this 1st day of February,

FREDERICK HOWELL.

Vitnesses:

JN0. J. BONNER, CARL F. GEYER.

